Dr Maria Papadima
I am an experienced Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, working for many years with adolescents, young adults, and their parents.
After studying psychology in Greece, I moved to London where I studied for an MSc and then PhD in psychoanalytic and psychosocial studies. Following that, I trained as a psychoanalytic child and adolescent psychotherapist at IPCAPA, part of the British Psychotherapy Foundation.
I’ve worked within the NHS and charity sectors, and I continue to work in a CAMHS adolescent team in London, which specialises in work with adolescents and their families facing urgent and acute challenges, including issues like self-harm, suicidality, and severe mental health crises.
I run a private practice in Golders Green, North London, where I work with adolescents, young adults and parents seeking both short-term and longer-term help. Beyond my core practice in psychotherapy, I have an interest in helping adolescents and their parents/carers during times of crisis and upheaval, when communication can feel stuck.
Alongside my clinical practice, I’m involved in writing, teaching, supervising, and presenting within my field. My overarching goal is to help create a clear and accessible understanding of psychoanalytic concepts on the challenges of adolescence, making them relatable for both young people and parents.
I teach and supervise in IPCAPA’s child and adolescent psychotherapy training, , as well as in other institutions. Previously, I taught and supervised at UCL’s MSC in theoretical psychoanalytic studies. For many years I worked as an Editor for the Journal of Child Psychotherapy. I have published a number of peer-reviewed articles to Journals within my field and I co-edited the book ‘Psychoanalytic crisis work with adolescents’ (Routledge) which came out in 2026 (1st Edition, Psychoanalytic Crisis Work with Adolescents: An Independent Approach, Edited By Maria Papadima, Rachel Acheson, Nikolaos Tzikas, Copyright 2026).
While mainly working in person, I also offer online consultations when suitable. I’m part of the Harbour Psychotherapy collective, collaborating with fellow child and adolescent psychotherapists when needed.
I work both in English and Greek.
Qualifications and Accreditation
- BSc Psychology Degree
- MSc in Theoretical Psychoanalytic Studies
- PhD in psychosocial studies, with a focus on trauma
- DPsych in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (IPCAPA / BPF)
- Full member of the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP)
- Fully insured and DBS checked
Sofia Rentzi
With over 25 years of experience supporting children and families across Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Social Work, and community settings, I bring a compassionate, collaborative, and practical approach to helping families navigate periods of transition and crisis.
My work has addressed a wide range of challenges, including parent-child relationship difficulties, parental crisis, divorce and separation, disability, school attendance issues, bereavement, and family breakdown.
I specialize in helping parents deepen their understanding of child and adolescent development, particularly during times of stress—and strengthen their ability to mentalise, connect with, and respond effectively to their children. Through a collaborative, coaching-informed approach, I support parents to prioritise concerns, set achievable goals, and make meaningful changes in family life. This includes setting age-appropriate boundaries, managing screen time, de-escalating aggressive behaviours, responding to mental health concerns, and supporting peer relationships. I also help parents navigate communication with schools and professionals, particularly when concerns arise around school attendance, behaviour, or neurodivergence.
My work is grounded in the belief that early intervention, strong parent-child relationships, and parental wellbeing are key to building family resilience. I see parents as powerful agents of change and work alongside them to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop supportive networks that promote long-term wellbeing.
For the past six years, I have led a Specialist Family Support Team within an Inner London Children’s Social Care service. My team delivers bespoke parenting interventions to families in acute crisis, working closely with clinical psychologists, social workers, schools, and health professionals to provide holistic, joined-up support.
Previously, I managed a Child Protection Team for five years, overseeing statutory assessments and
interventions, including court work in both public care and private family proceedings. I also spent over a decade as a CAMHS Social Worker, contributing to neurodevelopmental assessments and delivering therapeutic interventions within a multidisciplinary team.
I am a registered Social Worker with Social Work England, hold an ILM Level 5 Diploma in Coaching
and Mentoring, and am trained in the Motivational Practice Social Work Model. I have completed pre-clinical training in Child Psychotherapy with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and the University of East London. In recent years, I have also completed Level 1 Non-Violent Resistance Parenting Training and Mentalisation-Based Treatment for Families training through the Anna Freud Centre.
Qualifications and Accreditation
- Registered Social Worker (Social Work England)
- ILM Level 5 Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring
- Pre-clinical Training in Child Psychotherapy (Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust & University of East London)
- Level 1 Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) Parenting Training
- Mentalisation-Based Treatment (MBT) for Families Training (Anna Freud Centre), Level 1
- Trained in the Motivational Practice Social Work Model
- Qualified Social Work Practice Teacher and Social Work Practice Educator Assessor, South Bank University, 2011
Sessions can be online or in person. You’re welcome to book a brief 20-minute Zoom call (free of charge) to see whether this space feels right for you and to discuss next steps.
We work both in English and Greek. Feel free to either book a Zoom call directly through the link below, or get in touch via [email protected]